Raihan Sabuktagin
The government declared the building ‘risky’ in 1995, but the police department is running an outpost at the dilapidated building ignoring the risk of fatal accident.
The members of police are forced to work at the Posta police outpost risking their lives.
“When I arrived at the outpost several months ago, I was frightened. It is really in a bad shape, it can collapse any time,” said Mozammel, a constable.
Moshiur Rahman, in-charge of the outpost under Lalbagh Police Station, said the building has 15 rooms and they use eight rooms for office and residential purpose.
The middle part of the building is in the worst condition. “I believe anyone will think twice before crossing this part of the building,” said another constable.
Many of the city’s police outposts are in similar condition. These are unsafe for living and keeping firearms and documents, said a source at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Only 16 out of 54 outposts have permanent offices. The rest are located either in old, abandoned and risky buildings or temporarily constructed tin-shed rooms on public land. Some outposts are running in rented houses.
Mozammel Haque, AIG of police and in-charge of the Estate and Development Wing of DMP, said he is well aware of the risky building of Posta outpost but due to dispute over land ownership, DMP cannot move forward to develop the building.
He said such unsafe living condition has an impact on the service of the policemen.
Mozammel said DMP is trying hard to get possession of the Posta building so that they can offer safe accommodation for the policemen there.
Policemen from these outposts patrol the area for 24 hours, monitor the law and order situation and report to the police station about crime on a regular basis. But DMP does not have land or own building to run all these outposts.
“Patrolling is essential for maintaining law and order situation of an area but for arranging regular patrol, police need a place to stay. Unfortunately, DMP cannot arrange such place for the police members in all parts of the city,” said Mozammel.
He said the government should allow the police department to use abandoned houses after repair to set up outposts.
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
